Who’s Rising and Who’s Falling: Finalists Decided, Damian McKenzie Misses Out for All Blacks, Lions and Springboks Face Early Blows
Here’s your Monday roundup of the standout performers and those who faced setbacks over the weekend’s rugby action.
Making Headlines for the Right Reasons
Premiership Finalists:
In a nostalgic throwback to the 1990s, English rugby giants Bath and Leicester Tigers are set to clash in this weekend’s Premiership final. Congratulations are in order after Bath defeated Bristol Bears and Leicester overcame Sale Sharks in the semi-finals. Bath now stand on the brink of a historic treble, having already won the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, Leicester will be aiming to give a fitting farewell to stalwarts like Michael Cheika, Ben Youngs, and Dan Cole with a title win.
URC Finalists:
The United Rugby Championship is down to its final two as Leinster prepares to host the Bulls at Croke Park. Leinster ousted Glasgow Warriors while the Bulls triumphed over the Sharks. With both sides in fine form, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown—can Leinster finally lift silverware or will the Bulls spoil the party?
Super Rugby Pacific Semi-Finalists:
The play-offs narrowed from six to four with the Reds and Hurricanes eliminated. Now, the semi-finals will feature Crusaders vs. Blues and Chiefs vs. Brumbies. The Blues, in particular, impressed by defeating table-toppers the Chiefs, keeping their title hopes alive. The Crusaders and Brumbies also secured strong wins over the Reds and Hurricanes, respectively.
Connacht’s Coaching Coup:
In a surprise announcement, Connacht confirmed that Stuart Lancaster—former coach of England, Leinster, and Racing 92—will take over ahead of the next URC season. After a lackluster campaign, Connacht is hoping Lancaster can turn their fortunes around, and the experienced coach will be eager to rebuild his reputation after an underwhelming stint in France.
Montauban’s Fairytale Rise:
What a turnaround for Montauban! Having narrowly avoided relegation last year, they not only climbed to sixth place this season but went on a remarkable winning run to earn promotion to France’s top division. Their 24-19 win over Grenoble capped off the inspiring journey—highlighted by a try worthy of promotion.
Evan Roos Gets the Nod:
No longer sidelined, Evan Roos has finally been added to the Springboks squad after Cameron Hanekom suffered a serious injury. With a fixture against the Barbarians ahead, Roos now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth and make an impression on the coaching staff.
Craig Casey’s Captaincy Milestone:
Munster’s Craig Casey has been named Ireland captain for their summer matches against Portugal and Georgia. He will become the 112th player to lead the team—a proud achievement, especially as the squad includes 11 uncapped players.
URC Accolades – Snyman and Brunello Honored:
Leinster lock RG Snyman and Zebre Parma coach Massimo Brunello earned top honors in the latest URC awards, receiving Players’ Player and Coach of the Season respectively. Snyman quickly found his footing at Leinster following a high-profile switch from Munster, while Brunello guided Zebre to some impressive wins both at home and away.
Facing Tough Breaks
Zander Fagerson’s Injury Blow:
Every Lions tour seems to have its early heartbreak story, and this year it’s Zander Fagerson. The Glasgow and Scotland tighthead prop has been ruled out, with Finlay Bealham taking his spot. It’s a cruel blow for Fagerson, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Rieko Ioane Speaks Out on Abuse:
Rieko Ioane has spoken out after receiving abusive messages that extended to his family and friends following the Chiefs’ defeat. Taking to Instagram, he urged so-called fans to respect boundaries: “I know the game I play, but that is for me, not them.” His statement serves as a necessary reminder about the impact of online harassment.
Cameron Hanekom’s Injury Woes:
Bulls number eight Cameron Hanekom was seen on crutches after their semi-final victory over the Sharks, casting doubt over his availability for the URC final and international duties. Reports suggest he was administered morphine on the field due to the pain—a worrying sign. We hope the injury is less severe than feared.
La Rochelle Miss the Mark:
For the first time under Ronan O’Gara’s leadership, La Rochelle failed to qualify for the Top 14 play-offs. Their disappointing 32-18 loss to Pau summed up a poor season. O’Gara accepted responsibility and hinted at a major rebuild ahead, admitting: “A lot of things need to change.”
